Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the efforts of John O’Shea after the
Irishman put Manchester United close to another Champions League
final.
O’Shea’s smartly-taken 17th-minute goal ensured United head to
the Emirates Stadium for a tense second leg against Arsenal holding
a narrow lead, but one achieved without conceding an away goal.
The Waterford-born star makes a habit of popping up with vital
contributions and Ferguson felt his effort was worthy of special
praise.
“John O’Shea took the goal really well,” said Ferguson.
“He is a great professional.
“The boy never complains. He is happy to play anywhere.
“He has not always been a number one choice but he produces 30
performances a season and it is a contribution we are grateful
for.
“He has played in both full-back positions, central defence and
in midfield. He is so versatile and offers such great value for
us.
“He has played in most games this season. At the present moment
in time, he would be in the team if we got to the final.”
That it is still an if and not a when for United was mostly due
to the efforts of Manuel Almunia, who made four first-class saves
in a one-sided encounter.
In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the crossbar, while Ryan
Giggs had a second-half effort ruled out for offside on his 800th
United appearance.
“Arsene will be thinking it has been a good day for him,”
reflected Ferguson.
“He could have been out of the tie but he is not.
“But before the game I said I didn’t want us to concede a goal
and we achieved that. The tie is not dead but we have given
ourselves a good chance.”
The one negative for United was the probable absence of Rio
Ferdinand from the second leg.
Ferdinand suffered rib damage near the end after a collision
with Nicklas Bendtner and was sent to hospitals for X-rays which
Ferguson is expecting will bring bad news.
“We will wait for them, although it does not look good,” he
said.
The one advantage Ferguson feels Arsenal do have is the ability
to effectively name a reserve side against Portsmouth on Saturday
given the Gunners are virtually certain to finish fourth no matter
what the outcome.
Ferguson cannot say the same as the Red Devils bid to cling onto
the three-point lead they currently boast at the Premier League
summit by beating Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
“Arsenal’s big advantage is that they can play Pat Rice at
right-back and Arsene himself at centre-forward on Saturday,” said
Ferguson.
“We have to play a team to win the game.
“We have a lunchtime kick-off at Middlesbrough and I do not
think it is right.
“Obviously I will bring some freshness into the team. The
defence will be the same, apart from Rio but the midfield and
forwards could change completely.”
Wenger claimed he would be fielding his strongest side at
Portsmouth in Saturday’s Premier League game as they are aiming to
catch Chelsea to gain automatic qualification for next season’s
Champions League.
However, he may reconsider when he looks at the situation,
knowing how badly outplayed his team had been.
“It was a difficult game, played at a high pace,” said the
Frenchman.
“Manchester United started stronger than us but the positive is
that we only lost 1-0.”
Wenger knows he has Almunia to thank for the fact Arsenal can
still go through, with the Gunners chief as effusive of the
Spaniard as Ferguson had been about O’Shea.
“Manuel Almunia was excellent,” he said.
“It was a top class performance from him. His reading of the
game was fantastic and his sharpness was superb.”
On the evidence of this evening, Arsenal will struggle to
achieve the two-goal victory required next Tuesday.
However, in front of their own fans, Wenger remains optimistic
that the Londoners will produce a much better performance.
“There is a final at stake and I am confident you will see a
different Arsenal team next week,” he said.
“Things like that happen in football. At home I believe we can
do it.”